ARBITRATION COURT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16725, 28 April 1920, Page 5

ARBITRATION COURT.

THE BASIC WAGE. Per Press Association. GISBORNE, April 27. Mr. Justice Stringci delivered an important judgment m the Arbitration Uourt this aiternoou. In April, 1919, the court fixed the basic r. ago for skilled, sciui-skilled, and unskilled workers to which was added a bonus of 2Jd per hour to compensate workers for me increased cost ox living up to March 31, 1919, and it was intimated that the bonus would bo adjusted as on September 30, and March ill of each year. In December last, the statistician reported that it -would 1)0 necessary to increase the bonus by Id per hour to hourly workers, and 4s per week to weekly workers. This additional bonus was-accordingly granted, and made payable from January 1 last. The court baiS now received a report from the statistician in which ho states that for the six monthly period ending March, 1920, a further increase of 1-Jd per hour to hourly workers and (is per week to weekly workers is required, hr order to compensate them for the further increase in. the cost of living, including clothing. The court therefore, will grant the bonuses recommended upon applications made from time to time as opportunity offered. Bonuses will bo made payable as from May 1 next, unless good cause is shown to the contrary. In the case of juniors it will be dealt with according to their merits. In consequence of the general shortage of labour and of the exact employment, several industries have an agreement with workers who have raised the basic wages,, above those fixed by tbo court. The court has determined to increase the basic wage of workers generally as follows: —Skilled Workers. 2s per hour, semi-skilled Is ,8d to Is KM, unskilled Is 7d. To these basic wages will, he, added a bonus of 3d per hour which.is intended to cover ihe increased cn, t of living to March 81, 1920. In making the award after the present date tlie court, except for a special reason, will fix the. minimum rates in accordance with the above statoraoiu, j and the overtime rate will bo fixed on the basic wage, only exclusive of the tonus.